Golf club head

ABSTRACT

A metalwood golf club head comprising a locally raised crown peak, wherein said crown peak defined as the highest point on an outer surface of the crown when the golf club head is grounded at prescribed lie and loft, a crown peak plane parallel to the ground plane, the crown peak plane passing through the crown peak, a crown cutoff plane parallel to the crown peak plane, the crown cutoff plane offset downwards towards said ground plane 5 mm along said y-axis from said crown peak plane, an upper crown portion located above said crown cutoff plane and defined by said crown cutoff plane and said outer surface of said crown, wherein a volume of said upper crown portion is greater than 2 cm 3  and less than 7 cm 3 .

TECHNICAL FIELD

This present technology generally relates to systems, devices, andmethods related to golf clubs, and more specifically to metal wood golfclubs including improved crown constructions as well as improvedvariable face thickness profiles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY

In the competitive industry of golf club design, distance and accuracyare two of the most important performance factors that help define thedesirability of a metal wood type golf club. Although some may arguethat the look, feel, and sound of a golf club may influence theiropinion of a golf club; there is no arguing that the performance factorsplay a major role in determining the desirability of a golf club. Theperformance factors of maximizing distance while maintaining accuracybecomes even more prevalent in a metal wood type golf club head. Unlikeiron type golf club heads where accuracy of a golf shot clearly trumpsthe distance benefits gained by any individual golf club, metal woodtype golf club heads are designed to allow a golfer to hit the golf ballas far as possible and as straight as possible.

In order to maximize distance while maintaining accuracy of a metal woodtype golf club head, metal wood type golf clubs have been designed withthe objective of maximizing the distance of a golf ball struck by a golfclub head close to the geometric center of the golf club head. Thisgeometric center of the golf club head, due to the inherent laws ofphysics, may generally produce a golf shot that maximizes the distanceby reducing the energy loss during impact between the golf ball and thegolf club head. In order to quantify this value, the United States GolfAssociation (USGA), in conjunction with the golfing industry, have comeup with various methods such as the calculation the Coefficient ofRestitution (COR) or the calculation of the Characteristic Time (CT) asways to quantify the rebounding characteristic of a golf ball after itimpacts a golf club head.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,933 to Galloway et al. ('933 Patent) discusses oneof the methods to increase the COR of a golf club head by disclosing agolf club head having a coefficient of restitution greater than 0.845and a durability to withstand 2000 impacts with a golf ball at 110 milesper hour, wherein the club head may be composed of three pieces, a face,a sole, and a crown. More specifically, the '933 Patent discloses a golfclub head that may be composed of a titanium material, having a volumein the range of 175 cubic centimeters to 400 cubic centimeters, a weightin the range of 165 grams to 300 grams, and a striking plate surfacearea in the range of 4.00 square inches to 7.50 square inches.

Focusing on accuracy instead of distance, U.S. Patent Publication No.2004/0116202 to Lin ('202 Patent Publication), discusses a method toincrease the accuracy of a golf club head by disclosing a golf club headhaving a plurality of holes around the periphery of the club head, sothat when the club head hits the golf ball, most of the vibration wavesand sound waves generated are dispersed out of these holes thusimproving accuracy of the direction of the striking golf ball.

However, upon closer examination, we can see that developments inmaximizing distance while maintaining accuracy of a metal wood type golfclub head are premised upon the fact that the golfer be capable ofhitting the golf ball at the sweet spot. It may be difficult for theaverage golfer to consistently strike a golf ball in the sweet spot.Hence, in addition to the performance factors mentioned above, it mayalso be desirable to optimize the size and location of this sweet spot,so an average golfer may obtain the design benefits of maximizing thedistance and accuracy of the golf club head.

SUMMARY

The systems, methods, and devices described herein have innovativeaspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsiblefor their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of theclaims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.

One aspect of the present technology is the realization thatconventional golf clubs do not perform as well for off-center hits.Thus, there exists a need for an improved golf club head construction.The present technology is directed to metalwood golf clubs. The presentinvention provides ball speed enhancing features, including for example,a locally raised crown peak, and a sole biased variable face thicknessprofile which improve the off-center performance of the golf club head.As a result, a golfer can strike the golf ball with a portion of theface other than the geometric center of the striking face, and stillobtain desirable distance.

One non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes ametalwood golf club head, comprising: a striking face; a posterior bodyportion comprising a crown and a sole, wherein said crown is connectedto an upper portion of said striking face and said sole is connected toa lower portion of said striking face; a hosel located on a heel side ofsaid golf club head; a toe side located opposite said heel side; acoordinate system comprising: an x-axis parallel to a ground plane whensaid golf club head is grounded upon said ground plane according to theprescribed lie and loft of said golf club head, said x-axissubstantially parallel to said striking face, said x-axis extending in apositive direction towards said heel of said golf club head; a y-axisperpendicular to said x-axis, said y-axis perpendicular to said groundplane, said y-axis extending in a positive direction upwards toward saidcrown; a z-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said z-axis perpendicularto said y axis, said z-axis parallel to said ground plane, said z-axisextending in a positive direction forwards towards said striking face;wherein said golf club head comprises a golf club head interior, whereinsaid crown comprises an outer surface, said outer surface opposite saidgolf club head interior; wherein said crown comprises a crown peak, saidcrown peak defined as the highest point on said outer surface of saidcrown when said golf club head is grounded at said prescribed lie andloft; a plurality of points located on said outer surface of said crown,said plurality of points all located along a plane parallel to saidy-axis and said x-axis when said golf club head is grounded at saidprescribed lie and loft, said plane passing through said crown peak,said plurality of points comprising: a Point A located at said crownpeak; a Point B located 10 mm heel-ward from said Point A along an axisparallel to said x-axis; a Point C located 20 mm heel-ward from saidPoint A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; a Point D located 10 mmtoe-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; aPoint E located 20 mm toe-ward from said Point A along an axis parallelto said x-axis; wherein the absolute value of the slope between saidPoint B and said Point C is greater than or equal to 0.117 and less thanor equal to 0.310; and wherein the absolute value of the slope betweensaid Point D and said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.100 and lessthan or equal to 0.392.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidcrown peak is located less than 68 mm above said ground plane, andwherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point B and saidPoint C is greater than or equal to 0.122 and less than or equal to0.293, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point Dand said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.105 and less than orequal to 0.372.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidabsolute value of the slope between said Point B and said Point C isgreater than or equal to 0.133 and less than or equal to 0.293, andwherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point D and saidPoint E is greater than or equal to 0.114 and less than or equal to0.372.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidabsolute value of the slope between said Point B and said Point C isgreater than or equal to 0.122 and less than or equal to 0.261, andwherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point D and saidPoint E is greater than or equal to 0.105 and less than or equal to0.330.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidabsolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point B isgreater than or equal to 0.028 and less than or equal to 0.193, andwherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and saidPoint D is greater than or equal to 0.046 and less than or equal to0.148.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidabsolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point B isgreater than or equal to 0.030 and less than or equal to 0.183, andwherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and saidPoint D is greater than or equal to 0.048 and less than or equal to0.140.

An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includesa variable face thickness profile on an inside of said striking face,said variable face thickness profile comprising a thick central portionsurrounded by a transition portion, said transition portion surroundedby a thin perimeter portion of the striking face, wherein a second planeis parallel to said y-axis and said z-axis passes through a center ofsaid thick central portion, wherein a third plane is parallel to saidstriking face at geometric face center, wherein a measurement axis isformed at the intersection of said second plane and said third plane,wherein a distance D3 represents the distance measured between the topof said thin perimeter portion to the top of said thick central portionalong said measurement axis and a distance D4 represents the distancemeasured between the bottom of said thin perimeter portion to the bottomof said thick central portion along said measurement axis, wherein aratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.05.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.1 andless than 1.5.

An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includesmetalwood golf club head, comprising: a striking face; a posterior bodyportion comprising a crown and a sole, wherein said crown is connectedto an upper portion of said striking face and said sole is connected toa lower portion of said striking face; a hosel located on a heel side ofsaid golf club head; a toe side located opposite said heel side; acoordinate system comprising: an x-axis parallel to a ground plane whensaid golf club head is grounded upon said ground plane according to theprescribed lie and loft of said golf club head, said x-axissubstantially parallel to said striking face, said x-axis extending in apositive direction towards said heel of said golf club head; a y-axisperpendicular to said x-axis, said y-axis perpendicular to said groundplane, said y-axis extending in a positive direction upwards toward saidcrown; a z-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said z-axis perpendicularto said y axis, said z-axis parallel to said ground plane, said z-axisextending in a positive direction forwards towards said striking face;wherein said golf club head comprises a golf club head interior, whereinsaid crown comprises an outer surface, said outer surface opposite saidgolf club head interior; wherein said crown comprises a crown peak, saidcrown peak defined as the highest point on said outer surface of saidcrown when said golf club head is grounded at said prescribed lie andloft; a crown peak plane parallel to said ground plane, said crown peakplane passing through said crown peak; a crown cutoff plane parallel tosaid crown peak plane, said crown cutoff plane offset downwards towardssaid ground plane 5 mm along said y-axis from said crown peak plane; anupper crown portion located above said crown cutoff plane and defined bysaid crown cutoff plane and said outer surface of said crown; wherein avolume of said upper crown portion is greater than 2 cm3 and less than 7cm3.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidvolume of said upper crown portion is greater than 2 cm3 and less than 7cm3.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidvolume of said upper crown portion is greater than 3 cm3 and less than 6cm3.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidvolume of said upper crown portion is greater than 3 cm3 and less than 5cm3.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidvolume of said upper crown portion is greater than 3 cm3 and less than 4cm3.

An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includesa variable face thickness profile on an inside of said striking face,said variable face thickness profile comprising a thick central portionsurrounded by a transition portion, said transition portion surroundedby a thin perimeter portion of the striking face, wherein a second planeis parallel to said y-axis and said z-axis passes through a center ofsaid thick central portion, wherein a third plane is parallel to saidstriking face at geometric face center, wherein a measurement axis isformed at the intersection of said second plane and said third plane,wherein a distance D3 represents the distance measured between the topof said thin perimeter portion to the top of said thick central portionalong said measurement axis and a distance D4 represents the distancemeasured between the bottom of said thin perimeter portion to the bottomof said thick central portion along said measurement axis, wherein aratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.05.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.1 andless than 1.5.

An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includesa metalwood golf club head, comprising: a striking face; a posteriorbody portion comprising a crown and a sole, wherein said crown isconnected to an upper portion of said striking face and said sole isconnected to a lower portion of said striking face; a hosel located on aheel side of said golf club head; a toe side located opposite said heelside; a coordinate system comprising: an x-axis parallel to a groundplane when said golf club head is grounded upon said ground planeaccording to the prescribed lie and loft of said golf club head, saidx-axis substantially parallel to said striking face, said x-axisextending in a positive direction towards said heel of said golf clubhead; a y-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said y-axis perpendicularto said ground plane, said y-axis extending in a positive directionupwards toward said crown; a z-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, saidz-axis perpendicular to said y-axis, said z-axis parallel to said groundplane, said z-axis extending in a positive direction forwards towardssaid striking face; wherein said golf club head comprises a golf clubhead interior, wherein said crown comprises an outer surface, said outersurface opposite said golf club head interior; wherein said crowncomprises a crown peak, said crown peak defined as the highest point onsaid outer surface of said crown when said golf club head is grounded atsaid prescribed lie and loft; a plurality of points located on saidouter surface of said crown, said plurality of points all located alonga plane parallel to said y-axis and said x-axis when said golf club headis grounded at said prescribed lie and loft, said plane passing throughsaid crown peak, said plurality of points comprising: a Point A locatedat said crown peak; a Point B located 10 mm heel-ward from said Point Aalong an axis parallel to said x-axis; a Point C located 20 mm heel-wardfrom said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; a Point Dlocated 10 mm toe-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to saidx-axis; a Point E located 20 mm toe-ward from said Point A along an axisparallel to said x-axis; wherein the absolute value of the slope betweensaid Point B and said Point C is greater than or equal to 0.117 and lessthan or equal to 0.310; wherein the absolute value of the slope betweensaid Point D and said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.100 and lessthan or equal to 0.392; a crown peak plane parallel to said groundplane, said crown peak plane passing through said crown peak; a crowncutoff plane parallel to said crown peak plane, said crown cutoff planeoffset downwards towards said ground plane 5 mm along said y-axis fromsaid crown peak plane; an upper crown portion located above said crowncutoff plane and defined by said crown cutoff plane and said outersurface of said crown; wherein a volume of said upper crown portion isgreater than 2 cm3 and less than 7 cm3; and a variable face thicknessprofile on an inside of said striking face, said variable face thicknessprofile comprising a thick central portion surrounded by a transitionportion, said transition portion surrounded by a thin perimeter portionof the striking face, wherein a second plane is parallel to said y-axisand said z-axis passes through a center of said thick central portion,wherein a third plane is parallel to said striking face at geometricface center, wherein a measurement axis is formed at the intersection ofsaid second plane and said third plane, wherein a distance D3 representsthe distance measured between the top of said thin perimeter portion tothe top of said thick central portion along said measurement axis and adistance D4 represents the distance measured between the bottom of saidthin perimeter portion to the bottom of said thick central portion alongsaid measurement axis, wherein a ratio of said distance D3 over saidDistance D4 is greater than 1.05; wherein said sole further comprises aflexure spaced from said striking face, said flexure comprising a frontwall, an apex, and a rear wall, wherein said front wall and said rearwall both extend into said golf club head interior, and wherein saidfront wall and said rear wall are coupled at said apex.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidvolume of said upper crown portion is greater than 3 cm3 and less than 5cm3, and wherein a crown peak depth of said golf club head is at least26 mm, said crown peak depth measured from a forward most portion ofsaid golf club head to said crown peak along an axis parallel to saidz-axis.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidabsolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point B isgreater than or equal to 0.030 and less than or equal to 0.183, andwherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and saidPoint D is greater than or equal to 0.048 and less than or equal to0.140.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.1 andless than 1.5.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology saidsole further comprises a flexure spaced from said striking face, saidflexure comprising a front wall, an apex, and a rear wall, wherein saidfront wall and said rear wall both extend into said golf club headinterior, and wherein said front wall and said rear wall are coupled atsaid apex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification and are to beread in conjunction therewith. The illustrated embodiments, however, aremerely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Like referencenumbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf clubhead.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the toe side of the golf club head ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates cross section A-A of the golf club head of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 illustrates cross section B-B of the golf club head of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 6 illustrates the cross section B-B of FIG. 5, including thesurface through which the section was cut, but excluding internalgeometry such as the weight port.

FIG. 7 replicates the cross section B-B of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates cross section C-C of the golf club head of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 9 illustrates cross section D-D of the golf club head of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 10 illustrates cross section D-D of FIG. 9, including the surfacethrough which the section was cut, but excluding internal geometry suchas the hosel and flexure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf clubhead.

FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates cross section E-E of the golf club head of FIGS. 11and 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of the present disclosure. Theillustrative embodiments described in the detailed description,drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments maybe utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from thespirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will bereadily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, asgenerally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can bearranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety ofdifferent configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated andform part of this disclosure. For example, a system or device may beimplemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspectsset forth herein. In addition, such a system or device may beimplemented or such a method may be practiced using other structure,functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or otherthan one or more of the aspects set forth herein. Alterations andfurther and further modifications of inventive features illustratedherein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventionsas illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevantart and having possession of this disclosure, are to be consideredwithin the scope of the invention.

Other than in the operating examples, or unless otherwise expresslyspecified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentagessuch as those for amounts of materials, moments of inertias, center ofgravity locations, loft and draft angles, and others in the followingportion of the specification may be read as if prefaced by the word“about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with thevalue, amount, or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary,the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon thedesired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. Atthe very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of thedoctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numericalparameter should at least be construed in light of the number ofreported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges ofvarying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that anycombination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.

In describing the present technology, the following terminology may havebeen used: The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, forexample, reference to an item includes reference to one or more items.The term “plurality” refers to two or more of an item. The term“substantially” means that the recited characteristic, parameter, orvalue need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations,including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurementaccuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in theart, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect thecharacteristic was intended to provide. A plurality of items may bepresented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists shouldbe construed as though each member of the list is individuallyidentified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual memberof such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any othermember of the same lists solely based on their presentation in a commongroup without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms“and” and “or” are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are tobe interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items maybe used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term“alternatively” refers to a selection of one of two or morealternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection of only thoselisted alternative or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time,unless the context clearly indicated otherwise.

Features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent fromthe following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings. After considering this discussion, andparticularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description”one will understand how the illustrated features serve to explaincertain principles of the present disclosure.

Embodiments described herein generally relate to systems, devices, andmethods related to golf club heads. More specifically, some embodimentsrelate to metalwood golf clubs including improved crown constructions aswell as improved variable face thickness profiles.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf clubhead 100. FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the golf club head 100 ofFIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the toe side of the golf clubhead 100 of FIG. 1. The golf club head 100 shown in FIGS. 1-3 has astriking face 106, a posterior body portion 102, and a hosel 104. Thestriking face 106 is located at the front of the golf club head 100 andis configured to impact a golf ball when the golf club is swung. Thehosel 104 can include a shaft bore configured to receive a portion ofthe shaft. The hosel 104 is generally located on the heel side 108 ofthe golf club head, which is opposite the toe side 110. The posteriorbody portion 102 can further comprise a crown 112, a sole 114, and askirt 116. The crown 112 portion may generally be connected to an upperportion of the striking face 106 while the sole 114 may generally beconnected to a bottom portion of the striking face 106. The skirt 116can be juxtaposed between the crown 112 and the sole 114 to complete theposterior body portion 102. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the golf club head100 grounded upon the ground plane 200 at the golf club head'sprescribed lie and loft.

The golf club head 100, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3, may generally have aradiused transition region 118 at least partially surrounding theperimeter of the striking face 106. More specifically, the radiusedtransition region 118 may be further comprised of a crown facetransition region 120 located at an upper perimeter of the striking face106, substantially connecting the striking face 106 and the crown 112,and a sole face transition region 122 located at a bottom perimeter ofthe striking face 106, substantially connecting the striking face 106and the sole 122. In other embodiments, the radiused transition region118 could completely surround the perimeter of the striking face 106.The golf club head 100 can also include a flexure 124, as illustrated inFIG. 3. Several examples of a flexure 124 can be found in commonly ownedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/089,574 to Golden et al., Golf Clubwith Flexure, filed on Nov. 25, 2013, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the golf club head 100 can include acoordinate system. The coordinate system includes an x-axis parallel tothe ground plane 200, substantially parallel to the striking face 106,and extending towards the heel side 108 of the golf club head 100. Thecoordinate system includes a y-axis, perpendicular to the x-axis as wellas the ground plane 200 and extending upwards towards the crown 128. Thecoordinate system includes a z-axis, perpendicular to the x-axis and they-axis, parallel to the ground plane 200, and extending forwards towardsthe striking face 106.

Various features of a golf club head 100 can affect the performancecharacteristics of the golf club head 100 which may include, forexample, ball speed after impact at various points on the striking face106, the size of the sweet spot of the striking face 106, the backspinof the golf ball after impact, etc. Generally, it is a goal of the golfclub designer to maximize the size of the sweet spot, or the portion ofthe striking face which transfers the maximum amount of energy to thegolf ball at impact. One advantage of the golf club head 100 describedherein is improved performance characteristics provided by a uniqueconstruction of the crown 112. The unique construction discussed hereinand illustrated in the figures, has a locally raised crown peak 128compared to a traditional crown. This unique crown construction can beincorporated in a driver as illustrated herein, but can also beincorporated into a fairway or hybrid as well.

Often during testing, ballspeed after impact is measured at variousportions of the striking face 106 in addition to the geometric center.The geometric center of the striking face 106 is defined by the centerof the impact spot determined by the Impact Location Template outlinedin the Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Clubhead,USGA-TPX3004, Revision 1.0.0, May 1, 2008 by the United States GolfAssociation. One such portion of the striking face can be high center,defined as a 0.25″ above geometric face center. One embodiment of a golfclub head 100 including the unique crown construction described hereinachieves approximately 0.3% additional ball speed at high centercompared to the same driver without the unique crown construction, allwhile maintaining the highest possible ballspeed at geometric facecenter allowed by the United States Golf Association. In addition, thegolf club head 100 including the unique crown construction herein wasable to achieve a high center ballspeed within 99.56% of ballspeed atgeometric face center while the same driver without the unique crownconstruction was only able to achieve a high center ballspeed within99.28% of ballspeed at geometric face center. In some embodiments, theseperformance improvements can be a result of added compliance at pointsabove geometric face center on the striking face 106 of the club head100 due to the unique crown construction described herein. Thesignificance of increased ballspeed off center, at a location such ahigh center, is increased distance forgiveness for an off center hit.Even if a golfer doesn't hit the ball exactly at geometric face center,the ball will still travel nearly as far as if they had hit the ball atgeometric face center.

FIG. 4 illustrates cross section A-A of the golf club head 100 of FIGS.1-3. The cross section A-A was cut along a plane parallel to the y-axisand z-axis, the plane passing through the crown peak 128. The crown peak128 is defined by the portion of the crown 112 located furthest upwards,the highest y coordinate of the crown 112, with the golf club head 100grounded at the prescribed lie and loft. The crown peak depth CPD,illustrated in FIG. 4, is the distance from the forward most portion ofthe golf club head 100 to the crown peak 128 along an axis parallel tothe z-axis. In some embodiments, the crown peak depth CPD can be greaterthan 20 mm. In some embodiments, the crown peak depth CPD can be greaterthan 22 mm. In some embodiments, the crown peak depth CPD can be greaterthan 24 mm. In some embodiments, the crown peak depth CPD can be greaterthan 26 mm. In some embodiments, the crown peak depth CPD can be greaterthan 28 mm. The golf club head 100 includes a golf club head interior126. The hosel 104 can extend into the golf club head interior 126. Thegolf club head 100 can also include a weight port 128, as illustrated inFIG. 4, configured to receive an interchangeable weight member to alterthe swing weight and/or CG location of the golf club.

FIG. 5 illustrates cross section B-B of the golf club head 100 of FIGS.1-3. The cross section B-B was cut along a plane parallel to the x-axisand y-axis, the plane passing through the crown peak 128. In an effortto further simplify the construction of the golf club head 100, FIG. 6illustrates the cross section B-B of FIG. 5, including the surfacethrough which the section was cut, but excluding internal geometry suchas the weight port 128. FIG. 6 also illustrates points A-E located alongthe outer surface 130 of the crown 112. Points A-E are all located on aplane parallel to the x-axis and y-axis and passing through the crownpeak 128. Point A is located at the crown peak 128. Point B is offset adistance AB along the x-axis from Point A towards the heel side 108 ofthe golf club head. Point C is offset a distance AC along the x-axisfrom Point A towards the heel side 108 of the golf club head 100. PointD is offset a distance AD along the x-axis from Point A towards the toeside 110 of the golf club head 100. Point E is offset a distance AEalong the x-axis from Point A towards the toe side 110 of the golf clubhead 100. Each of the points A-E are located a distance H_(A,B,C,D,E)above the ground plane 200 measured along the y-axis when the golf clubhead 100 is grounded at the prescribed lie and loft upon the groundplane 200. Point A is located a distance H_(A) above the ground plane200, Point B a distance H_(B) above the ground plane 100, etc. Severaltables are included below to better describe the geometry of the uniquecrown construction described herein.

Table 1 below outlines the offset distances between Points A-E for oneembodiment of the golf club head 100 described herein. Distance valuesare measured in millimeters (mm). The distance values included in Table1 are utilized throughout the specification and in subsequent tablesbelow when defining slopes and relationships between Points A-E.

TABLE 1 Offset Distance AB AC AD AE Distance Value 10 mm 20 mm 10 mm 20mm

Table 2 below outlines the heights of Points A-E to further illustrateone embodiment of the golf club head 100 described herein.

TABLE 2 Height Distance H_(A) H_(B) H_(C) H_(D) H_(E) Height Value 64.39mm 63.72 mm 61.64 mm 63.78 mm 62.05 mm

In some embodiments, the golf club head 100 includes a crown peak 128located less than 68 mm from the ground plane 200. In some embodiments,the golf club head 100 includes a crown peak 128 located less than 66 mmfrom the ground plane 200.

Table 3 below outlines the slopes between various Points A-E to furtherillustrate one embodiment of the golf club head 100 described herein.For example, the slope between Point A and Point B, would be calculatedby dividing the difference in height between Point A and Point B by theoffset distance between Point A and Point B. Each of the slope valuesare the absolute value of the calculated slope. Thus, whether theheel-most point or toe-most point is further from the ground plane 200,does not affect the value of the slope.

TABLE 3 Point→Point A→B A→C B→C A→D A→E D→E Slope (ΔY/ΔX) 0.067 0.1380.208 0.061 0.117 0.173

Table 4 below illustrates a range of slopes between Points A-E withinwhich an embodiment of the golf club head 100 could reside.

TABLE 4 Point→Point A→B A→C B→C A→D A→E D→E Upper Slope 0.193 0.2520.310 0.148 0.271 0.392 Limit Lower Slope 0.028 0.072 0.117 0.046 0.0740.100 Limit

Table 5 below illustrates a range of slopes between Points A-E withinwhich an embodiment of the golf club head 100 could reside.

TABLE 5 Point→Point A→B A→C B→C A→D A→E D→E Upper Slope 0.183 0.2390.293 0.140 0.257 0.372 Limit Lower Slope 0.030 0.076 0.122 0.048 0.0770.105 Limit

Table 6 below illustrates a range of slopes between Points A-E withinwhich an embodiment of the golf club head 100 could reside.

TABLE 6 Point→Point A→B A→C B→C A→D A→E D→E Upper Slope 0.162 0.2120.261 0.125 0.228 0.330 Limit Lower Slope 0.030 0.076 0.122 0.048 0.0770.105 Limit

Table 7 below illustrates a range of slopes between Points A-E withinwhich an embodiment of the golf club head 100 could reside.

TABLE 7 Point→Point A→B A→C B→C A→D A→E D→E Upper Slope 0.183 0.2390.293 0.140 0.257 0.372 Limit Lower Slope 0.032 0.083 0.133 0.053 0.0840.114 Limit

Table 8 below illustrates a range of slopes between Points A-E withinwhich an embodiment of the golf club head 100 could reside.

TABLE 8 Point→Point A→B A→C B→C A→D A→E D→E Upper Slope 0.101 0.2060.312 0.091 0.176 0.260 Limit Lower Slope 0.054 0.110 0.166 0.049 0.0940.138 Limit

FIG. 7 replicates the cross section B-B of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 includes acrown peak plane 132, which is parallel to the ground plane 200 andpasses through the crown peak 128 when the golf club head 100 isgrounded at prescribed lie and loft upon the ground plane 200. The crownpeak plane 132 is located above the ground plane 200 the same distanceH_(A) as the crown peak 128. FIG. 7 also includes a crown cutoff plane134 parallel to the crown peak plane 132, and offset downwards from thecrown peak plane 132 a distance D_(CP) along the y-axis towards theground plane 200. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, distanceD_(CP) is 5 mm. The portion of the crown 112 located above the crowncutoff plane 134 is defined as the upper crown portion 135. In oneembodiment, when D_(CP) is 5 mm, the volume of the upper crown portion135, defined by the crown cutoff plane 134 and the outer surface 130 ofthe upper crown portion 135, is greater than 2 cm³ and less than 7 cm³.In another embodiment, when D_(CP) is 5 mm, the volume of the uppercrown portion 135 is greater than 2 cm³ and less than 6 cm³. In anotherembodiment, when D_(CP) is 5 mm, the volume of the upper crown portion135 is greater than 2 cm³ and less than 5 cm³. In another embodiment,when D_(CP) is 5 mm, the volume of the upper crown portion 135 isgreater than 2 cm³ and less than 4 cm³. In another embodiment, whenD_(CP) is 5 mm, the volume of the upper crown portion 135 is greaterthan 3 cm³ and less than 7 cm³. In another embodiment, when D_(CP) is 5mm, the volume of the upper crown portion 135 is greater than 4 cm³ andless than 7 cm³. In another embodiment, when D_(CP) is 5 mm, the volumeof the upper crown portion 135 is greater than 3 cm³ and less than 6cm³. In another embodiment, when D_(CP) is 5 mm, the volume of the uppercrown portion 135 is greater than 3 cm³ and less than 5 cm³. In anotherembodiment, when D_(CP) is 5 mm, the volume of the upper crown portion135 is greater than 3 cm³ and less than 4 cm³.

In some embodiments, the golf club head 100, as illustrated in FIGS.1-7, can include both a locally raised crown peak 128 and a flexure 124.The combination of these two features can further increase the size ofthe sweet spot of the striking face 106. The flexure 124 is particularlyeffective at increasing ball speeds at impact locations below geometricface center, while the unique crown construction is particularlyeffective at increasing ball speeds at impact locations above geometricface center. The combination of the two can offer a distinct advantageover a golf club head which does not offer both of these features.

FIG. 8 illustrates cross section C-C of the golf club head of FIGS. 1-3.The cross section C-C was cut along a plane parallel to the x-axis andy-axis, just behind the striking face 106. As illustrated in FIG. 8, thestriking face includes a variable face thickness profile 136 behind thestriking face 106. The variable face thickness profile 136, can includea thick central portion 138 surrounded by a transition portion 140,which is then surrounded by a thin perimeter portion 142 of the strikingface 106, further illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 illustratescross section D-D of the golf club head of FIGS. 1-3. The cross sectionD-D was cut along a plane parallel to the y-axis and z-axis, the planepassing through the center of the thick central portion 138 of thevariable face thickness profile 136 of the striking face 106. Becausethe striking face 106 of a golf club head 100 deforms like a trampolinewhen striking a golf ball, having a variable face thickness profile 136allows the thin perimeter portion 142 of the striking face 106 to bethin enough to provide a trampoline effect while the thick centralportion 138 of the variable face thickness profile 136 providessufficient thickness to endure the stresses associated with a golf ballimpact. More detailed disclosure regarding using variable face thicknessto improve the performance of a golf club head may be found in U.S. Pat.No. 7,029,403 to Rice et. al., the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 10 illustrates cross section D-D of FIG. 9, including the surfacethrough which the section was cut, but excluding internal geometry suchas the hosel 104 and flexure 124. Performance of the golf club headincorporating the unique crown construction described herein can furtherbenefit from the variable face thickness profile 136 illustrated inFIGS. 8-10, particularly when the golf club head 100 incorporates aflexure 124. In some embodiments, locating the thick central portion 138of the variable face thickness profile 136 closer to the sole 114 thenthe crown 112 can increase the performance of the golf club head 100. Insome embodiments, locating the transition portion 140 closer to the sole114 then the crown 112 can increase the performance of the golf clubhead 100.

During testing, a golf club head 100 including the unique crownconstruction and the unique sole biased variable face thickness profile136 described herein achieves approximately 0.15% additional ball speedat high center compared to the same golf club head without the uniquesole biased variable face thickness profile 136 described herein.Additionally, when a golf club head 100 combines the unique crownconstruction and the unique sole biased variable face thickness profile136 described herein, the driver achieves approximately 0.45% additionalball speed at high center compared to the same golf club head withoutthe unique crown construction and unique sole biased variable facethickness profile 136 described herein.

Distances D1-D4 are included in FIG. 10 to further illustrate thevariable face thickness profile 136. Distances D1-D4 are measured alonga measurement axis formed by the intersection of a second plane parallelto the y-axis and z-axis which also passes through the center of thethick central portion 138 of the variable thickness profile 136 and athird plane parallel to the front surface of the striking face 106 atgeometric face center. The center of the thick central portion 138defined as the midpoint between the heel-most portion and toe-mostportion of the thick central portion 138 measured along an axis parallelto the x-axis. Distance D1 represents the height of the upper thinperimeter portion 142 above the variable face thickness profile 136.Distance D2 represents the height of the lower thin perimeter portion142 below the variable face thickness profile 136. Distance D3represents the height of the upper thin perimeter portion 142 and theupper transition portion 140 above the thick central portion 138.Distance D4 represents the height of the lower thin perimeter portion142 and the lower transition portion 140 below the thick central portion138. The endpoints of the thin perimeter portion 142, transition portion140, and thick central portion 138 may not be easily identified due toradiuses, rounds, chamfers etc. Distances D1-D4 shall be measured fromthe center of the radius, round, chamfer, etc., which form theconnection between various portions of the variable thickness profile136 and striking face 106 such as the thick central portion 138,transition portion 140, thin perimeter portion 142, transition region140, etc.

In one embodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 is greater than 1.01. In oneembodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 is greater than 1.05. In anotherembodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 is greater than 1.1. In anotherembodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 is greater than 1.15. In anotherembodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 is greater than 1.1 and less than1.5. In another embodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 is greater than 1.1and less than 1.4. In another embodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 isgreater than 1.1 and less than 1.3. In another embodiment, the ratio ofD1 over D2 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.2.

In one embodiment, the ratio of D3 over D4 is greater than 1.05. Inanother embodiment, the ratio of D3 over D4 is greater than 1.1. Inanother embodiment, the ratio of D3 over D4 is greater than 1.15. Inanother embodiment, the ratio of D3 over D4 is greater than 1.1 and lessthan 1.5. In another embodiment, the ratio of D3 over D4 is greater than1.1 and less than 1.4. In another embodiment, the ratio of D3 over D4 isgreater than 1.1 and less than 1.3. In another embodiment, the ratio ofD3 over D4 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.2.

The unique crown construction and unique sole biased variable facethickness profile described herein can be used in a driver. In otherembodiments, the features can be used in a fairway or a hybrid as well.In some embodiments, the unique crown construction and/or unique solebiased variable face thickness profile can be included in a golf clubhead having a volume greater than 250 cubic centimeters (cc). In someembodiments, the unique crown construction and/or unique sole biasedvariable face thickness profile can be included in a golf club headhaving a volume greater than or equal to 130 cc and less than 250 cc. Insome embodiments, the unique crown construction and/or unique solebiased variable face thickness profile can be included in a golf clubhead having a volume less than 130 cc. Volumes are measured according tothe Procedure for Measuring the Club Head Size of Wood Clubs,USGA-TPX3003, Revisions 1.0.0, Nov. 21, 2003, United States GolfAssociation.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate an additional golf club head incorporating aunique striking face construction. FIG. 11 illustrates a perspectiveview of a golf club head. FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of the golfclub head 100 of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 illustrates cross section E-E of thegolf club head of FIGS. 11 and 12. The cross section cut along a planeparallel to the x-axis and y-axis and passing through the crown peak128. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, the golf clubhead 100 can have a more pronounced locally raised crown peak 128compared to a traditional crown. In addition, the striking face 106 canbe extended, creating an upper face extension 144, to take advantage ofthe locally raised crown peak 128. Additionally, the golf club head caninclude a locally lowered sole base 146. Additionally, the striking face106 can be extended, creating a lower face extension 148, to takeadvantage of the locally lowered sole base 146. The unique crown andsole constructions along with the upper face extension 144 and lowerface extension 146 increase the compliance of the striking face 106,increasing ballspeeds after impact and increasing the size of the sweetspot.

In describing the present technology herein, certain features that aredescribed in the context of separate implementations also can beimplemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely,various features that are described in the context of a singleimplementation also can be implemented in multiple implementationsseparately or in any suitable sub combination. Moreover, althoughfeatures may be described above as acting in certain combinations andeven initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimedcombination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and theclaimed combination may be directed to a sub combination or variation ofa sub combination.

Various modifications to the implementations described in thisdisclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and thegeneric principles defined herein may be applied to otherimplementations without departing from the spirit or scope of thisdisclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theimplementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with this disclosure as well as the principle and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

1. A metalwood golf club head, comprising: a striking face; a posteriorbody portion comprising a crown and a sole, wherein said crown isconnected to an upper portion of said striking face and said sole isconnected to a lower portion of said striking face; a hosel located on aheel side of said golf club head; a toe side located opposite said heelside; a coordinate system comprising: an x-axis parallel to a groundplane when said golf club head is grounded upon said ground planeaccording to the prescribed lie and loft of said golf club head, saidx-axis substantially parallel to said striking face, said x-axisextending in a positive direction towards said heel of said golf clubhead; a y-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said y-axis perpendicularto said ground plane, said y-axis extending in a positive directionupwards toward said crown; a z-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, saidz-axis perpendicular to said y axis, said z-axis parallel to said groundplane, said z-axis extending in a positive direction forwards towardssaid striking face; wherein said golf club head comprises a golf clubhead interior, wherein said crown comprises an outer surface, said outersurface opposite said golf club head interior; wherein said crowncomprises a crown peak, said crown peak defined as the highest point onsaid outer surface of said crown when said golf club head is grounded ata prescribed lie and loft; a plurality of points located on said outersurface of said crown, said plurality of points all located along afirst plane parallel to said y-axis and said x-axis when said golf clubhead is grounded at said prescribed lie and loft, said first planepassing through said crown peak, said plurality of points comprising: aPoint A located at said crown peak; a Point B located 10 mm heel-wardfrom said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; a Point Clocated 20 mm heel-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to saidx-axis; a Point D located 10 mm toe-ward from said Point A along an axisparallel to said x-axis; a Point E located 20 mm toe-ward from saidPoint A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; wherein the absolutevalue of the slope between said Point B and said Point C is greater thanor equal to 0.117 and less than or equal to 0.310; wherein the absolutevalue of the slope between said Point D and said Point E is greater thanor equal to 0.100 and less than or equal to 0.392; wherein the absolutevalue of the slope between said Point B and said Point C is greater thanthe absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point B;and wherein the absolute value of the slope between said Point D andsaid Point E is greater than the absolute value of the slope betweensaid Point A and said Point D.
 2. The golf club head of claim 1, whereinsaid crown peak is located less than 68 mm above said ground plane, andwherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point B and saidPoint C is greater than or equal to 0.122 and less than or equal to0.293, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point Dand said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.105 and less than orequal to 0.372.
 3. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein said absolutevalue of the slope between said Point B and said Point C is greater thanor equal to 0.133 and less than or equal to 0.293, and wherein saidabsolute value of the slope between said Point D and said Point E isgreater than or equal to 0.114 and less than or equal to 0.372.
 4. Thegolf club head of claim 2, wherein said absolute value of the slopebetween said Point B and said Point C is greater than or equal to 0.122and less than or equal to 0.261, and wherein said absolute value of theslope between said Point D and said Point E is greater than or equal to0.105 and less than or equal to 0.330.
 5. The golf club head of claim 1,wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and saidPoint B is greater than or equal to 0.028 and less than or equal to0.193, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point Aand said Point D is greater than or equal to 0.046 and less than orequal to 0.148.
 6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said absolutevalue of the slope between said Point A and said Point B is greater thanor equal to 0.030 and less than or equal to 0.183, and wherein saidabsolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point D isgreater than or equal to 0.048 and less than or equal to 0.140.
 7. Thegolf club head of claim 1, further comprising a variable face thicknessprofile on an inside of said striking face, said variable face thicknessprofile comprising a thick central portion surrounded by a transitionportion, said transition portion surrounded by a thin perimeter portionof the striking face, wherein a second plane is parallel to said y-axisand said z-axis, passes through a center of said thick central portion,wherein a third plane is parallel to said striking face at geometricface center, wherein a measurement axis is formed at the intersection ofsaid second plane and said third plane, wherein a distance D3 representsthe distance measured between the top of said thin perimeter portion tothe top of said thick central portion along said measurement axis and adistance D4 represents the distance measured between the bottom of saidthin perimeter portion to the bottom of said thick central portion alongsaid measurement axis, wherein a ratio of said distance D3 over saidDistance D4 is greater than 1.05.
 8. The golf club head of claim 7,wherein said ratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greaterthan 1.1 and less than 1.5.
 9. A metalwood golf club head, comprising: astriking face; a posterior body portion comprising a crown and a sole,wherein said crown is connected to an upper portion of said strikingface and said sole is connected to a lower portion of said strikingface; a hosel located on a heel side of said golf club head; a toe sidelocated opposite said heel side; a coordinate system comprising: anx-axis parallel to a ground plane when said golf club head is groundedupon said ground plane according to a prescribed lie and loft of saidgolf club head, said x-axis substantially parallel to said strikingface, said x-axis extending in a positive direction towards said heel ofsaid golf club head; a y-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said y-axisperpendicular to said ground plane, said y-axis extending in a positivedirection upwards toward said crown; a z-axis perpendicular to saidx-axis, said z-axis perpendicular to said y axis, said z-axis parallelto said ground plane, said z-axis extending in a positive directionforwards towards said striking face; wherein said golf club headcomprises a golf club head interior, wherein said crown comprises anouter surface, said outer surface opposite said golf club head interior;wherein said crown comprises a crown peak, said crown peak defined asthe highest point on said outer surface of said crown when said golfclub head is grounded at said prescribed lie and loft; a crown peakplane parallel to said ground plane, said crown peak plane passingthrough said crown peak; a crown cutoff plane parallel to said crownpeak plane, said crown cutoff plane offset downwards towards said groundplane 5 mm along said y-axis from said crown peak plane; an upper crownportion located above said crown cutoff plane and defined by said crowncutoff plane and said outer surface of said crown; wherein a volume ofsaid upper crown portion is greater than 2 cm³ and less than 7 cm³; aplurality of points located on said outer surface of said crown, saidplurality of points all located along a first plane parallel to saidy-axis and said x-axis when said golf club head is grounded at saidprescribed lie and loft, said first plane passing through said crownpeak, said plurality of points comprising: a Point A located at saidcrown peak; a Point B located 10 mm heel-ward from said Point A along anaxis parallel to said x-axis; a Point C located 20 mm heel-ward fromsaid Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; a Point D located 10mm toe-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; aPoint E located 20 mm toe-ward from said Point A along an axis parallelto said x-axis; wherein the absolute value of the slope between saidPoint B and said Point C is greater than the absolute value of the slopebetween said Point A and said Point B; and wherein the absolute value ofthe slope between said Point D and said Point E is greater than theabsolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point D. 10.(canceled)
 11. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein said volume ofsaid upper crown portion is greater than 3 cm³ and less than 6 cm³. 12.The golf club head of claim 11, wherein said volume of said upper crownportion is greater than 3 cm³ and less than 5 cm³.
 13. The golf clubhead of claim 12, wherein said volume of said upper crown portion isgreater than 3 cm³ and less than 4 cm³.
 14. The club head of claim 9,further comprising a variable face thickness profile on an inside ofsaid striking face, said variable face thickness profile comprising athick central portion surrounded by a transition portion, saidtransition portion surrounded by a thin perimeter portion of thestriking face, wherein a second plane, parallel to said y-axis and saidz-axis, passes through a center of said thick central portion, wherein athird plane is parallel to said striking face at geometric face center,wherein a measurement axis is formed at the intersection of said secondplane and said third plane, wherein a distance D3 represents thedistance measured between the top of said thin perimeter portion to thetop of said thick central portion along said measurement axis and adistance D4 represents the distance measured between the bottom of saidthin perimeter portion to the bottom of said thick central portion alongsaid measurement axis, wherein a ratio of said distance D3 over saidDistance D4 is greater than 1.05.
 15. The club head of claim 14, whereinsaid ratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.1and less than 1.5.
 16. A metalwood golf club head, comprising: astriking face; a posterior body portion comprising a crown and a sole,wherein said crown is connected to an upper portion of said strikingface and said sole is connected to a lower portion of said strikingface; a hosel located on a heel side of said golf club head; a toe sidelocated opposite said heel side; a coordinate system comprising: anx-axis parallel to a ground plane when said golf club head is groundedupon said ground plane according to a prescribed lie and loft of saidgolf club head, said x-axis substantially parallel to said strikingface, said x-axis extending in a positive direction towards said heel ofsaid golf club head; a y-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said y-axisperpendicular to said ground plane, said y-axis extending in a positivedirection upwards toward said crown; a z-axis perpendicular to saidx-axis, said z-axis perpendicular to said y-axis, said z-axis parallelto said ground plane, said z-axis extending in a positive directionforwards towards said striking face; wherein said golf club headcomprises a golf club head interior, wherein said crown comprises anouter surface, said outer surface opposite said golf club head interior;wherein said crown comprises a crown peak, said crown peak defined asthe highest point on said outer surface of said crown when said golfclub head is grounded at said prescribed lie and loft; a plurality ofpoints located on said outer surface of said crown, said plurality ofpoints all located along a first plane parallel to said y-axis and saidx-axis when said golf club head is grounded at said prescribed lie andloft, said first plane passing through said crown peak, said pluralityof points comprising: a Point A located at said crown peak; a Point Blocated 10 mm heel-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to saidx-axis; a Point C located 20 mm heel-ward from said Point A along anaxis parallel to said x-axis; a Point D located 10 mm toe-ward from saidPoint A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; a Point E located 20 mmtoe-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis;wherein the absolute value of the slope between said Point B and saidPoint C is greater than the absolute value of the slope between saidPoint A and said Point B; and wherein the absolute value of the slopebetween said Point D and said Point E is greater than the absolute valueof the slope between said Point A and said Point D.
 17. The golf clubhead of claim 16, wherein the absolute value of the slope between saidPoint B and said Point C is greater than or equal to 0.117 and less thanor equal to 0.310 and wherein the absolute value of the slope betweensaid Point D and said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.100 and lessthan or equal to 0.392.
 18. The golf club head of claim 16, wherein saidabsolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point B isgreater than or equal to 0.030 and less than or equal to 0.183, andwherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and saidPoint D is greater than or equal to 0.048 and less than or equal to0.140.
 19. The club head of claim 16, further comprising a variable facethickness profile on an inside of said striking face, said variable facethickness profile comprising a thick central portion surrounded by atransition portion, said transition portion surrounded by a thinperimeter portion of the striking face, wherein a second plane isparallel to said y-axis and said z-axis passes through a center of saidthick central portion, wherein a third plane is parallel to saidstriking face at geometric face center, wherein a measurement axis isformed at the intersection of said second plane and said third plane,wherein a distance D3 represents the distance measured between the topof said thin perimeter portion to the top of said thick central portionalong said measurement axis and a distance D4 represents the distancemeasured between the bottom of said thin perimeter portion to the bottomof said thick central portion along said measurement axis, wherein aratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.1 andless than 1.5.
 20. The club head of claim 16, wherein said sole furthercomprises a flexure spaced from said striking face, said flexurecomprising a front wall, an apex, and a rear wall, wherein said frontwall and said rear wall both extend into said golf club head interior,and wherein said front wall and said rear wall are coupled at said apex.